User:Ray Trace/Wario's Wiki Work
- This page is about instances of regular Koopa Troopa shells. For colored varieties with distinct properties, see Shell.
Koopa Shells (also known as Turtle Shells or simply shells) are items that are typically obtained from Koopa Troopas and their related species. Some of them are obtained by jumping on a Koopa Troopa and getting its shell, other instances have players use them independent of Koopa Troopas. They are typically used by being sent in a straight line, spinning around, and eliminating obstacles, and they can retrieve helpful collectibles for the player.
History
Super Mario series
Super Mario Bros.
Koopa Shells first appear in Super Mario Bros. and its various rereleases such as Super Mario All-Stars. After a Koopa Troopa is hit by a jump attack, it retreats into its shell, leaving it for Mario to use. Upon contact, the shell is launched, defeating every enemy in its way. However, this can also backfire when the shell rebounds from any obstacle. A shell in motion can be stopped by stomping on it. If a Koopa Troopa is seen wearing a Green Shell, it falls off ledges if it reaches one. If it wears a red shell, it turns around when reaching a ledge. The Koopa Troopa stays in the shell for only a limited amount of time. After a while, the Koopa Troopa gets out of its shell and resume walking. Koopa shells can be destroyed by a fireball shot by Fire Mario or being hit by Invincible Mario. In the original version, their color changes to teal in underground or castle levels, though in the Super Mario All-Stars remake, they are colored normally.
Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels
Koopa Shells behave identically in Super Mario Bros.: The Lost Levels. A gray palette has been introduced for green shells found in underwater levels, though they are colored normally in Super Mario All-Stars.
Super Mario Bros. Special
As Super Mario Bros. Special is another follow-up to the original Super Mario Bros., Koopa Shells behave identically. In NEC PC-8801 versions of the game, red shells are rendered normally while green shells have reversed palettes.
Super Mario Bros. 2
Turtle Shells,[1] also named shells[2] or Koopa Shells,[3] are found in Super Mario Bros. 2, where they replace the blackface head-like objects known as "Big Face" (ビッグフェイス[4]) from Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic. They are plucked from the grass and can be thrown - the Shell slides forward, defeating most enemies it hits, until it makes contact with a wall and disappears. It is possible to actually get on top of the shells and ride them.
Super Mario Advance makes them larger (and thus take longer to pluck). They are also more similar to regular Koopa Shells, as they rebound off walls instead of disappearing, and hurt the player if they touch the shell's sides; a heart also appears for each enemy it defeats.
Super Mario Bros. 3
Koopa Shells return in Super Mario Bros. 3 and its remake and serve the same purpose as in the first game. The Shells can now also be grabbed and carried around before they are thrown. They can be used to hit blocks on their sides. Giant Green Shells also debut in this game's World 4.8
Super Mario World
Koopa Shells appear in Super Mario World and its remake. However, instead of the Koopa Troopa retracting back into its shell, it slides out of its shell. If the Koopa finds its shell again, it goes back inside it. Blue unshelled Koopa Troopas do not go inside shells and kick them towards players. Some shells encountered do not contain Koopa Troopas inside them: this is indicated by the lack of glowing eyes inside them. Four types of shells appear in Super Mario World, all with varying effects. Green Shells do not give Yoshis who eat them any additional abilities, Red Shells allow Yoshis to spit out fire, Blue Shells allow Yoshis to temporarily sprout wings and fly, and Yellow Shells allow Yoshis to emit sand clouds when stomping the ground. In addition, a Koopa Troopa that goes into a yellow shell becomes a Flashing Shell and invulnerable to any attacks. Shells retain their vulnerability to fireballs, but they also can be destroyed if they are Spin Jumped on or if a Yoshi stomps on them.
After the player beats the Special Zone (or completes all 96 exits in Super Mario Advance 2: Super Mario World), all Koopa Shells become Mario masks.
Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins
Koopa Shells can be used as items in Super Mario Land 2: 6 Golden Coins, behaving as they did in past entries. Due to the limitations of the Game Boy, all shells appear grayscale.
Super Mario 64 / Super Mario 64 DS
Koopa Shells,[5] are rare objects in Super Mario 64. Some, also referred to as Shiny Shells,[6][7] can be obtained by hitting some yellow blocks or attacking a Koopa to get it out of its shell. When Mario jumps on a Koopa Shell, he can travel at fast speed and ram into enemies to defeat them instantly. Riding a shell also allows Mario to navigate over lava or water. Additionally, if Mario grabs a Koopa Shell while underwater, he can hold the shell in front of him and use it to swim faster in water for a short period of time. When he rides on a Koopa Shell, the theme that plays is the one used for the Wing Cap and Vanish Cap.
Koopa Shells make a return in Super Mario 64 DS, where they can be ridden on (and used underwater) once again. Additionally, they may appear behind some brick blocks as well. Yoshi can eat Koopa Shells and spit them out, although they disappear upon hitting a wall. Some minigames found in Super Mario 64 DS require use of a Koopa Shell, such as Shuffle Shell.
In the original version, when the player hits the yellow blocks for Koopa Shells, the boxes do not respawn, but shells do not disappear until Mario hitches a ride on one. In the DS version, ! Blocks have the ability to respawn and, unless they were stolen from Koopa Troopas, shells now disappear if not used for a while.
New Super Mario Bros.
Koopa Shells return in New Super Mario Bros., in which they can be obtained after stomping on a Koopa Troopa. Just like in Super Mario Bros., the Koopa Troopa retracts into its shell so Mario can grab the shell and throw it. Aside from the design change, the shells have little change in its function. Performing a Ground Pound on a Koopa Troopa or Paratroopa kicks its shell forwards without having to pick it up. Blue Shells return in this game as power-ups that let Mario slide across levels as a kicked shell.
In addition, Bowser Jr. throws green shells during certain boss fights (specifically when his bandanna is on). The player must step on the green shell, pick it up, and throw it back at Bowser Jr. to stun him. Once stunned, the player can then attack Bowser Jr. by either jumping on him or Ground Pounding him.
New Super Mario Bros. Wii
Shells make an appearance in New Super Mario Bros. Wii. They have the same function as in New Super Mario Bros., although there is one difference. Holding the 
/
and shaking 
allows players to carry it over their head, which can then be thrown in the same way as holding and throwing it normally. If Ice Mario attacks a Koopa Troopa after stomping on it, the Koopa Troopa remains frozen within its shell in an Ice Block. Mario can then use the Ice Block like a platform or lift it up to throw the block and destroy the shell. Also, larger green shells appear in World 5. Mario can enter these larger shells and find hidden items.
Super Mario Galaxy / Super Mario Galaxy 2
Three types of Koopa Shells appear in Super Mario Galaxy: Green Shells, Red Shells, and Gold Shells. Some shells can be retrieved from Koopa Troopas, though most can be found independently of them. They can be used as projectiles to destroy enemies and certain objects, and they can be used to help Mario or Luigi swim underwater. Shells underwater propel Mario or Luigi, and they emit a light to help them see in the dark as well as defeat enemies such as Boos. Brake lights appear if Mario or Luigi brakes the shell.
In Super Mario Galaxy 2, Green Shells are the only returning shell.
New Super Mario Bros. 2
Koopa Shells reappear in New Super Mario Bros. 2 with the same function as in the past New Super Mario Bros. installments. However, if Mario passes through a Gold Ring, any Koopa Troopas in the area turn Golden, and so do their shells. If thrown, they produce a trail of coins behind them.
Super Mario 3D Land
Koopa Shells reappear in Super Mario 3D Land with the same function as in other games; however, only green-colored shells appear again, and characters can only kick shells and not throw them. If Mario or Luigi shoot fireballs or tail whip a shell, it bounces slightly and a jingle plays. If this is done five times without the shell touching the ground, it breaks and produces a 1-Up Mushroom.
New Super Mario Bros. U
Koopa Shells reappear in New Super Mario Bros. U with the same function as in the past installments. Giant Green Shells also reappear.
Yoshi series
Yoshi's Cookie
A Koopa Shell appears as one of the cookies in Yoshi's Cookie when playing Rounds 11-99. Since there is only one per level, this makes for a more challenging experience as the only way to get rid of the shell cookie is to pair it up with a Yoshi Cookie, which is further complicated by the placement of the other cookies.
Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island / Yoshi's Island: Super Mario Advance 3
Green and red Koopa Shells appear in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where a Yoshi can obtain them by stomping on Koopa Troopa, which causes them to fly out of their shell and become Beach Koopas. They can be carried by Yoshis in their mouths, but Yoshis cannot swallow them to make eggs due to them being hard and inedible. These shells act in the same manner as in Super Mario World and can be used to break obstacles and activate Winged Clouds. The shells can still hurt Yoshis when it slides around and touches them.
Yoshi's Island DS
Both green and red Koopa Shells re-appear in Yoshi's Island DS and function identically as their appearance in Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, where they are still inedible and can be used to attack enemies and break obstacles.
Yoshi's New Island
Koopa Shells reprise their functionality in Yoshi's New Island and have an updated appearance alongside the Koopa Troopas that wear them, where they can be used to solve puzzles and obtain Smiley Flowers in Koopa Canyon and Spin-Lift Drift. Red shells appear before green shells.
References
- ^ Nintendo Power Volume 1, page 9.
- ^ Super Mario All-Stars instruction booklet, page 20.
- ^ NES Game Atlas Nintendo Player's Guide, page 12.
- ^ Yume Kōjō: Doki Doki Panic instruction booklet, page 24.
- ^ Super Mario 64 English instruction booklet, page 18.
- ^ M. Arakawa. Super Mario 64 Player's Guide. Page 8.
- ^ (February 24, 1998). Items. Nintendo: Super Mario 64 Strategy (Internet Archive: Wayback Machine). Retrieved February 23, 2018.
